Wine-Based Margaritas Are the Combo Drink We Never Knew We Needed
File this under "perfect timing," as we could all use something to celebrate right now (and Cinco de Mayo just happens to be today). ALDI Instagram fans alerted us to these wine-based margaritas that seem like a tropical vacation in a glass. You can find them at other retailers as well, and the drink seems like it would pair perfectly with some our favorite last-minute Mexican recipes like copycat Chipotle guac and spiced-up shrimp tacos.
While we usually lean toward the more traditional route for our margaritas, we're willing to bend the rules for Rancho La Gloria's pre-mixed margs. That's because the lime, strawberry and mango wine cocktails require zero shakers and are about 50% less likely to cause headaches tomorrow, based on our estimations (and experience with tequila).
Compared to the typical 3-ounce margarita that has 33% ABV (alcohol by volume), according to the National Institutes of Health, these wine margaritas have 13.9% ABV. That means one small margarita actually counts as 1.7 standard drink servings, and a 4-ounce serving of this wine cocktail counts as 1 standard drink.
It's also made with real citrus juice and requires zero additions—well, besides ice—to be ready to join the party. While the brand isn't revealing what wine is hiding inside, similar online recipes call for light- to- medium-bodied white wine, like pinot grigio or chardonnay. If you're looking to recreate a DIY wine margarita in your own kitchen, blend about half of a bottle of that vino with a few handfuls of ice and about half the contents of a tube of frozen citrus juice concentrate (such as lemonade, limeade, or even OJ). Balance things out with lime juice to taste, and serve in a salt-rimmed glass, if you please.
You can find fiesta-sized 1 ½-liter bottles of the margarita mix for less than $15 at ALDI, H-E-B, Costco, World Market, and Publix. They can also be added to your virtual shopping basket on Instacart if you'd prefer to skip the supermarket run. Or ship them straight to your door by buying through Drizly.com.
Single-serving cans and mini bottles have also been spotted at some retailers if you're isolating solo and plan to indulge over a virtual happy hour this year.